The current minimum age for issuing an unrestricted driver license in california is 16, with parental approval being required until the licensee is 21 years of age. Over the years there have been a number of attempts to raise the minimum age. A pilot study presented a reliable evaluation of the age factor solely in terms of driving records which may be defined as the absolute risk potential. However, the lack of exposure data precluded an evaluation of driving performance of the relative risk factor and the sample size was too small. It was decided to conduct a large-scale survey, utilizing a much larger sample and collecting data on a number of variables. It was hoped that factors such as age, experience and immaturity could be separated and individually assessed. In terms of driver record alone, statistical analysis of the data indicated accident frequency for both teen-age males and females is unrelated to age. Violation frequency for both males and females, however, increases as age increases. A multiple regression analysis established that exposure was a more important factor than age in determining accident and violation rates and age was related only to male accident rates, with older males having fewer accidents. For females, it was determined that the more experienced drivers had fewer accidents. Authors found no evidence to support a raise in the licensing age.
Abstract